Elastic hair clip

ABSTRACT

A hair clip includes an elastic clip body frame having a base portion and first and second frame arms extended from the base portion and terminating in a respective free end portion, and one or two clamping arms extended from the base portion of the elastic clip body frame and suspending between the first and second frame arms. The width of each clamping arm gradually reduces from the root portion toward the free end. Subject to the gradually reducing width design of each clamping arm from the base portion toward the free end, two hair-clamping spaces are respectively defined between the first and second frame arms and the clamping arms for holding hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hair accessories, and more particularlyto an elastic hair clip that maintains excellent elastic grip andeffectively prevents hair from slipping out.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional hair clip (1), as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, comprises anelongated clip body frame (11) and a clamping tongue (12) inwardlyextended from one end of the elongated clip body frame (11) andsuspending within the elongated clip body frame (11). The elongated clipbody frame (11) is resilient and smoothly arched. When bending the twoopposite ends of the elongated clip body frame (11) upward, the free endof the clamping tongue (12) is released from the elongated clip bodyframe (11) so that a hair-clamping space is defined between the clampingtongue (12) and the elongated clip body frame (11), as shown in FIG. 1A.When bending the middle part of the elongated clip body frame (11)upward, the clamping tongue (12) and the elongated clip body frame (11)are clamped together (see FIG. 1B) to secure hair.

FIGS. 1C and 1D illustrate another conventional design of hair clip.This design of hair clip is substantially similar to that shown in FIGS.1A and 1B with the exception that the clamping tongue (12) has alongitudinal slot (122) on the middle.

The two conventional designs mentioned above only focus on the elasticstrength of the clamping tongue (12), however, due to that thehair-clamping space between the clamping tongue (12) and the elongatedclip body frame (11) is small and the two opposite lateral sides (121)of the clamping tongue (12) are straight, these two conventional designscannot effectively prevent hair from slipping out. Simply relying on theelasticity of the clamping tongue (12) to clamp the hair cannot preventthe hair clip from falling off.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances inview. It is therefore the main object of the present invention toprovide an elastic hair clip, which comprises an elastic clip body frameand at least one clamping arm. The elastic clip body frame comprises abase portion, and first and second frame arms. The first and secondframe arms each have a fixed end and a free end. The fixed ends of thefirst and second frame arms are connected to the base portion. The freeends of the first and second frame arms each form a free end portion.Each clamping arm extends from the base portion and suspends between thefirst and second frame arms. The elastic clip body frame and the atleast one clamping arm are integrally made of a flexible elasticmaterial. The free end portion of the first and second frame arms arefastened together so that the elastic clip body frame exhibits an archedshape and can be elastically deformably bent between a released positionwhere the free end of each clamping arm is kept apart from the first andsecond frame arms and a clamped position where the free end of eachclamping arm is attached to the jointed free end portions of the firstand second frame arms.

Furthermore, the fixed end of each clamping arm is a root portionconnected to the base portion of the elastic clip body frame. The widthof each clamping arm gradually reduces from the base portion toward thefree end. Subject to the gradually reducing width design of eachclamping arm from the base portion toward the free end, twohair-clamping spaces are respectively defined between the first andsecond frame arms of the elastic clip body frame and the at least oneclamping arm for holding hair. The free end of each clamping armterminates in an outer curved portion. When the at least one clampingarm and the first and second frame arms are elastically clampedtogether, the outer curved portion of each clamping arm effectively stopthe hair from slipping out of the free end of each clamping arm. Thefree ends of the first and second frame arms are respectively terminatedinto a stop protrusion, and the stop protrusions of the first and secondframe arms are fastened together by a fastening means and suspendingbetween the outer curved portions of the at least one clamping arm, sothat the connected stop protrusions of the first and second frame armsand the outer curved portions of the at least one clamping armconstitute a three-point stopping design to effectively stop the hairfrom slipping outward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a released status of a hair clip according to theprior art.

FIG. 1B corresponds to FIG. 1A, showing a clamped state of the hairclip.

FIG. 1C illustrates a released status of another design of hair clipaccording to the prior art.

FIG. 1D corresponds to FIG. 1C, showing a clamped state of the hairclip.

FIG. 2A illustrates a released status of an elastic hair clip inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2B corresponds to FIG. 2A, showing a clamped state of the elastichair clip.

FIG. 2C is a sectional side view of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D is a sectional side view of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2E is a schematic top view, illustrating the elastic hair clipfastened to the hair.

FIG. 2F illustrates each clamping arm provided with an anti-slip waveportion.

FIG. 3 is an oblique top elevation of an alternate form of the elastichair clip in accordance with the present invention, showing a wave-likecenter arm suspended between the two clamping arms.

FIG. 4A illustrates a different shape design of the elastic clip bodyframe of the elastic hair clip in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates another different shape design of the elastic clipbody frame of the elastic hair clip in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the present invention, illustrating a hairclip ornament used with the elastic hair clip.

FIG. 6A is a schematic top view of an alternate form of the elastic hairclip in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the singleclamping arm provided with an anti-slip wave portion.

FIG. 6B is similar to the design of FIG. 6A, illustrating the singleclamping arm provided with a center opening.

FIG. 6C illustrates the two opposite lateral sides of the clamping armand the inner side of each of the first and second frame arms arecontinuously curved.

FIG. 7A is an oblique top elevation of another alternate form of theelastic hair clip in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a schematic top view, illustrating the elastic clip bodyframe and two clamping arms of the elastic hair clip of FIG. 7A clampedtogether.

FIG. 7C corresponds to FIG. 7A, illustrating the elastic clip body frameand the clamping arms continuously curved.

FIG. 7D illustrates an extended status of the elastic hair clip of FIG.7A before bending.

FIG. 7E is a schematic top view of still another alternate form of thepresent invention, illustrating one clamping arm extended from one endof the solid plate-shaped the elastic clip body frame.

FIG. 8A is a schematic drawing of still another alternate form of thepresent invention, illustrating two clamping arms extended from one endof a solid and smoothly arched elastic clip body frame.

FIG. 8B corresponds to FIG. 8A, illustrating the clamping arms and thesolid and smoothly arched elastic clip body frame bent into shape.

FIG. 8C is a schematic drawing of still another alternate form of thepresent invention, illustrating one single clamping arm extended fromone end of a solid and smoothly arched elastic clip body frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an elastic hair clip in accordance withthe present invention is shown. The elastic hair clip comprises anelastic clip body frame (2), and at least one, for example, two clampingarms (212). The elastic clip body frame (2) comprises a base portion(2111), and first and second frame arms (21) respectively and integrallyextended from the base portion (2111) and respectively terminating in arespective free end portion (211). The clamping arms (212) areintegrally extended from the base portion (2111) of the elastic clipbody frame (2) and suspending between the first and second frame arms(21). The elastic clip body frame (2) and the two clamping arms (212)are integrally made of a flexible elastic material. The free endportions (211) of the first and second frame arms (21) are fastenedtogether with fastening means (2112) so that the elastic clip body frame(2) exhibits a hollow arched shape and is elastically deformablybendable between a released position where the free ends of the twoclamping arms (212) are kept apart from the jointed free end portions(211) of the first and second frame arms (21), as shown in FIG. 2C, anda clamped position where the free ends of the two clamping arms (212)are attached to the jointed free end portions (211) of the first andsecond frame arms (21), as shown in FIG. 2D.

The width of the clamping arms (212) gradually reduces from the baseportion (2111) toward the free end, so that the relatively largermaterial width of the root portion (2122) of each of the two clampingarms (212) can maintain sufficient clamping force, thereby improving theclamping force of the clamping arms (212). Subject to the graduallyreducing width design of each clamping arm (212) from the base portion(2111) toward the free end, two hair-clamping spaces (A) arerespectively defined between the first and second frame arms (21) andthe two clamping arms (212) for holding hair (B), as shown in FIG. 2E,improving hair-clamping stability. Furthermore, the free end of eachclamping arm (212) is terminated into an outer curved portion (213), sothat when the clamping arms (212) and the first and second frame arms(21) are elastically clamped together, the outer curved portions (213)of the two clamping arms (212) effectively stop the hair (B) fromslipping out of the free ends of the two clamping arms (212).Furthermore, the free ends of the first and second frame arms (21) arerespectively terminated into a stop protrusion (214), and the stopprotrusions (214) of the first and second frame arms (21) are fastenedtogether by the fastening means (2112) and suspending between the outercurved portions (213) of the two clamping arms (212). The connected stopprotrusions (214) of the first and second frame arms (21) and the outercurved portions (213) of the two clamping arms (212) constitute athree-point stopping design to effectively stop the hair (B) fromslipping outward, as shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E. Furthermore, eachclamping arm (212) is configured to provide an anti-slip wave portion(2121), as shown in FIG. 2F. In an alternate form of the presentinvention, as shown in FIG. 3, the elastic hair clip further comprises awave-like center arm (2123) integrally extended from the base portion(2111) of the elastic clip body frame (2) and suspending between the twoclamping arms (212) to improve the anti-slip effect. Furthermore, theelastic clip body frame (2) can be variously shaped, as shown in FIGS.4A and 4B.

Referring to FIG. 5, in one embodiment of the present invention, theelastic hair clip further comprises a hair clip ornament (3) detachablyfastened to the elastic clip body frame (2). The hair clip ornament (3)comprises two coupling holes (31) respectively disposed at two oppositeends of a bottom side thereof for coupling to the base portion (2111) ofthe elastic clip body frame (2) and the fastened free ends of the firstand second frame arms (21) respectively, and a stop protrusion (33)downward protruded from one end of the center opening (32) thereof andsuspending between the outer curved portions (213) of the two clampingarms (212). The stop protrusion (33) of the hair clip ornament (3) andthe outer curved portions (213) of the two clamping arms (212)constitute a three-point stopping design to effectively stop the hair(B) from slipping outward.

Referring to FIG. 6A, in one embodiment of the present invention, theelastic hair clip comprises an elastic clip body frame (4) and onesingle clamping arm (412). The elastic clip body frame (4) comprises abase portion (4111), and first and second frame arms (41) integrallyextended from the base portion (4111) and terminating in a respectivefree end portion (411). The clamping arm (412) is integrally extendedfrom the base portion (4111) of the elastic clip body frame (4) andsuspending between the two frame arms (41). The width of the clampingarm (412) gradually reduces from the base portion (4111) of the elasticclip body frame (4) toward the free end thereof, so that the relativelylarger material width of the root portion (4122) of the clamping arm(412) can maintain sufficient clamping force, thereby improving theclamping force of the clamping arms (412). Subject to the graduallyreducing width design of the clamping arm (412) from the base portion(4111) toward the free end, two hair-clamping spaces (A) arerespectively defined between the first and second frame arms (21) andthe two opposite sides of the clamping arm (412) for holding hair (B),improving hair-clamping stability. Furthermore, the free end of theclamping arm (412) is terminated into an outer curved portion (413), sothat when the clamping arms (412) and the first and second frame arms(41) are elastically clamped together, the outer curved portions (413)of the clamping arm (412) effectively stop the hair (B) from slippingout of the free end of the clamping arm (412). Furthermore, the freeends of the first and second frame arms (41) are respectively terminatedinto a stop protrusion (414), and the stop protrusions (414) of thefirst and second frame arms (41) are fastened together and suspendingbetween two outer curved portions (413) of the free end of the clampingarm (412). The connected stop protrusions (414) of the first and secondframe arms (21) and the outer curved portions (413) of the clamping arms(412) constitute a three-point stopping design to effectively stop thehair (B) from slipping outward. Furthermore, the clamping arm (412) isconfigured to provide an anti-slip wave portion (4121). Furthermore, asshown in FIG. 6B, the clamping arm (412) can be configured to provide acenter opening (4123), which can reduce the weight, but does not changethe hair-clamping effect. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6C, the twoopposite lateral sides of the clamping arm (412) and the inner side ofeach of the first and second frame arms (41) can be continuously curvedto improve the anti-slip effect.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the elastic hair clip comprises an elastic clip body frame(5), and two clamping arms (512) integrally extended from one end of theelastic clip body frame (5). The elastic clip body frame (5) comprisesfirst and second frame arms (51) that have respective two opposite endsrespectively fastened to each other. The elastic clip body frame (5) andthe clamping arms (512) are integrally formed of one flat plate memberand bent into shape. The width of the clamping arms (512) graduallyreduces from the elastic clip body frame (5) toward the free end, sothat the relatively larger material width of the root portion (5122) ofeach of the two clamping arms (512) can maintain sufficient clampingforce, thereby improving the clamping force of the clamping arms (512).

Subject to the gradually reducing width design of each clamping arm(512) from the elastic clip body frame (5) toward the free end, twohair-clamping spaces (A) are respectively defined between the first andsecond frame arms (51) and the two clamping arms (512) for holding hair(B), improving hair-clamping stability. Furthermore, the free end ofeach clamping arm (512) is terminated into an outer curved portion(513), so that when the clamping arms (512) and the first and secondframe arms (51) are elastically clamped together, the outer curvedportions (513) of the two clamping arms (512) effectively stop the hair(B) from slipping out of the free ends of the two clamping arms (512).The elastic clip body frame (5) further comprises a stop protrusion(514) protruded from one end thereof remote from the two clamping arms(512). The stop protrusion (514) of the elastic clip body frame (5) andthe outer curved portions (513) of the clamping arms (512) constitute athree-point stopping design to effectively stop the hair (B) fromslipping outward. Furthermore, the clamping arms (512) are configured toprovide a respective anti-slip wave portion (5121). Furthermore, asshown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the clamping arms (512) and the first andsecond frame arms (51) of the elastic clip body frame (5) can becontinuously curved to improve the anti-slip effect.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7E, only one single clamping arm (52) isprovided and extended from one end of the elastic clip body frame (5),and the clamping arm (52) has two outer curved portions (521) at thefree end. When the clamping arm (52) and the first and second frame arms(51) of the elastic clip body frame (5) are elastically clampedtogether, the outer curved portions (521) of the clamping arm (512)effectively stop the hair (B) from slipping out of the free end of theclamping arm (512). The elastic clip body frame (5) further comprises astop protrusion (514) protruded from one end thereof remote from theclamping arm (512). The stop protrusion (514) of the elastic clip bodyframe (5) and the outer curved portions (513) of the clamping arm (512)constitute a three-point stopping design to effectively stop the hair(B) from slipping outward.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the elastic hair clipcomprises a solid and smoothly arched elastic clip body frame (6), andtwo clamping arms (61) extended from one end of the solid and smoothlyarched elastic clip body frame (6) and bent into shape. The free end ofeach clamping arm (61) terminates in an outer curved portion (611). Whenthe clamping arms (61) and the solid and smoothly arched elastic clipbody frame (6) are elastically clamped together, the outer curvedportions (611) of the clamping arms (61) effectively stop the hair (B)from slipping out of the free ends of the clamping arms (61).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8C, the elastic hair clip comprises asolid and smoothly arched elastic clip body frame (6), and a clampingarm (62) extended from one end of the solid and smoothly arched elasticclip body frame (6) and bent into shape. The clamping arm (62) comprisestwo outer curved portions (621) at the free end thereof. When theclamping arm (62) and the solid and smoothly arched elastic clip bodyframe (6) are elastically clamped together, the outer curved portions(621) of the clamping arm (62) effectively stop the hair (B) fromslipping out of the free end of the clamping arm (62).

In conclusion, the present invention provides an elastic hair clipdesign that maintains excellent elastic clamping force and effectivelyprevents hair (B) from slipping out.

What the invention claimed is:
 1. An elastic hair clip, comprising anelastic clip body frame and two clamping arms, said elastic clip bodyframe comprising a base portion and first and second frame arms extendedfrom said base portion and respectively terminating in a free endportion, said clamping arms being extended from said base portion ofsaid elastic clip body frame and suspending between said first andsecond frame arms, each said clamping arm having a fixed and an opposingfree end, the fixed end of each said clamping arm being a root portionconnected to said base portion, said elastic clip body frame and saidclamping arms being integrally made of a flexible elastic material, thefree end portions of said first and second frame arms being fastenedtogether, so that said elastic clip body frame exhibits a hollow archedshape and is elastically deformably bendable between a released positionwhere the free ends of said clamping arms are kept apart from said firstand second frame arms and a clamped position where the free ends of saidclamping arms are attached to the jointed free end portions of saidfirst and second frame arms, the width of each of said clamping armsgradually reducing from said base portion toward the free end of therespective said clamping arm, subject to the gradually reducing widthdesign of each said clamping arm from said base portion toward the freeend thereof, two hair-clamping spaces being respectively defined betweensaid first and second frame arms and said two clamping arms for holdinghair, the free end of each said clamping arm being terminated into anouter curved portion, so that when said clamping arms and said first andsecond frame arms are elastically clamped together, the said outercurved portions of said two clamping arms effectively stop the hair fromslipping out of the free ends of said two clamping arms.
 2. The elastichair clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free ends of said first andsecond frame arms are respectively terminated into a stop protrusion andthe said stop protrusions of said first and second frame arms arefastened together by a fastening means and suspending between the saidouter curved portions of said two clamping arms, so that the connectedsaid stop protrusions of said first and second frame arms and the saidouter curved portions of said two clamping arms constitute a three-pointstopping design to effectively stop the hair from slipping outward. 3.The elastic hair clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said clampingarm is configured to provide an anti-slip wave portion.
 4. The elastichair clip as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a wave-like centerarm integrally extended from said base portion of said elastic clip bodyframe and suspending between said two clamping arms.
 5. The elastic hairclip as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a hair clip ornamentdetachably fastened to said elastic clip body frame, said hair clipornament comprising two coupling holes respectively disposed at twoopposite ends of a bottom side thereof for coupling to said base portionof said elastic clip body frame and the fastened free ends of said firstand second frame arms respectively, and a stop protrusion downwardprotruded from one end of a center opening thereof and suspendingbetween the said outer curved portions of said two clamping arms, saidstop protrusion of said hair clip ornament and the said outer curvedportions of said two clamping arms constituting a three-point stoppingdesign to effectively stop the hair from slipping outward.
 6. Theelastic hair clip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible elasticmaterial is selectively a metal, plastic or fiber material.
 7. Anelastic hair clip, comprising an elastic clip body frame and a clampingarm, said elastic clip body frame comprising a base portion and firstand second frame arms extended from said base portion and respectivelyterminating in a free end portion, said clamping arm being extended fromsaid base portion of said elastic clip body frame and suspending betweensaid first and second frame arms, said clamping arm having a fixed andan opposing free end, the fixed end of said clamping arm being a rootportion connected to said base portion, said elastic clip body frame andsaid clamping arm being integrally made of a flexible elastic material,the free end portions of said first and second frame arms being fastenedtogether, so that said elastic clip body frame exhibits a hollow archedshape and is elastically deformably bendable between a released positionwhere the free end of said clamping arm is kept apart from the jointedsaid free end portions of said first and second frame arms and a clampedposition where the free end of said clamping arm is attached to thejointed said free end portions of said first and second frame arms, thewidth of said clamping arm gradually reducing from said base portiontoward the free end thereof, subject to the gradually reducing widthdesign of said clamping arm from said base portion toward the free endthereof, two hair-clamping spaces being respectively defined betweensaid first and second frame arms and two opposite lateral sides of saidclamping arm for holding hair, the free end of said clamping arm beingprovided with two outer curved portions, so that when said clamping armand said first and second frame arms are elastically clamped together,the said outer curved portions of said clamping arm effectively stop thehair from slipping out of the free end of said clamping arm.
 8. Theelastic hair clip as claimed in claim 7, wherein the free ends of saidfirst and second frame arms are respectively terminated into a stopprotrusion, and the said stop protrusions of said first and second framearms are fastened together and suspending between two outer curvedportions of the free end of said clamping arm, the connected said stopprotrusions of said first and second frame arms and said outer curvedportions of said clamping arms constitute a three-point stopping designto effectively stop the hair from slipping outward.
 9. The elastic hairclip as claimed in claim 7, wherein said clamping arm is configured toprovide a center opening.
 10. The elastic hair clip as claimed in claim7, wherein the two opposite lateral sides of said clamping arm and aninner side of each of said first and second frame arms are continuouslycurved to improve the anti-slip effect.
 11. The elastic hair clip asclaimed in claim 7, wherein said flexible elastic material isselectively a metal, plastic or fiber material.
 12. An elastic hairclip, comprising an elastic clip body frame, and two clamping armsintegrally extended from one end of said elastic clip body frame, saidelastic clip body frame comprising first and second frame arms that haverespective two opposite ends respectively fastened to each other, eachsaid clamping arm having a fixed and an opposing free end, the fixed endof each said clamping arm being a root portion connected to said elasticclip body frame, said elastic clip body frame and said clamping armsbeing integrally formed of one flat plate member and bent into shape,the width of said clamping arms gradually reducing from said elasticclip body frame toward the free end, the free end of each said clampingarm being terminated into an outer curved portion, so that when saidclamping arms and said elastic clip body frame are elastically clampedtogether, the said outer curved portions of said two clamping armseffectively stop the hair from slipping out of the free ends of said twoclamping arms.
 13. The elastic hair clip as claimed in claim 12, whereinsaid elastic clip body frame further comprises a stop protrusionprotruded from one end thereof remote from said two clamping arms, sothat when said elastic clip body frame and said two clamping arms areclamped together, said stop protrusion of said elastic clip body frameand said outer curved portions of said clamping arms constitute athree-point stopping design to effectively stop the hair from slippingoutward.
 14. The elastic hair clip as claimed in claim 12, wherein saidtwo clamping arms are integrally connected sided by side, so that whensaid elastic clip body frame and the integrally connected said clampingarms are clamped together, said stop protrusion of said elastic clipbody frame and said outer curved portions of the integrally connectedsaid clamping arms constitute a three-point stopping design toeffectively stop the hair from slipping outward.
 15. The elastic hairclip as claimed in claim 12, wherein said elastic clip body frame is asolid and smoothly arched elastic clip body frame, and said clampingarms are integrally extended from one end of said solid and smoothlyarched elastic clip body frame.
 16. The elastic hair clip as claimed inclaim 15, wherein said two clamping arms are integrally connected sidedby side, said solid and smoothly arched elastic clip body frame and saidtwo clamping arms being integrally formed of one flat plate member andbent into shape.